Hollow ball bat with dampening means

ABSTRACT

A hollow ball bat having a tubular bat body provided with a handle portion, a barrel portion and a connecting portion. A tubular paperboard dampening element secured to the interior surface of the barrel portion and having an external surface in engagement with the barrel portion interior surface. Such engagement may include about 30 to 75 percent of the barrel interior surface. The paperboard tube may be provided with corrugations on its exterior surface and may have a length of about 3.5 to 9 inches. The ball bat has an end closure closing the barrel portion and the dampening member is secured to the end closure. In a preferred form, the end closure is an end plug having a reduced diameter lower portion which extends into the dampening member.

United States Patent 91 Moore et al.

[ HOLLOW BALL BAT WITH DAMPENING MEANS {75] inventors: Nicholas R.Moore, Bellflower; Allen D. Bliss, Santa Ana. both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Aluminum Company of America. Pittsburgh. Pa.

[22} Filed: Sept. 6, 1973 [2|] Appl No.: 394,682

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No,245.625. April l9 I972. abandoned.

[ Apr. 8, 1975 3.703.290 ll/l972 Wilson 273/72 A 3.727295 4/1973Gildemcister 273/72 A X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22.649 7/l948Finland v 273/72 R 23.495 9/l949 Finland 273/72 R PrimaryE.rumim'r-Richard J. Apley Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Arnold B. Silverman.Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A hollow ball bat having a tubular bat body provided witha handle portion. a barrel portion and a connecting portion. A tubularpaperboard dampening element secured to the interior surface of thebarrel portion Cl 273/72 A and having an external surface in engagementwith the '3" A63B 59/06 barrel portion interior surface. Such engagementmay Field 273/67 R 72 72 A R include about 30 to 75 percent of thebarrel interior 273/ B 82 R, 70; 220/65; 229/45, l4 surface Thepaperboard tube may be provided with r 2 corrugations on its exteriorsurface and may have a s length of about 3.5 to 9 inches. Referencescued The ball bat has an end closure closing the barrel UNITED STATESPATENTS portion and the dampening member is secured to the Lol L858I2/i926 Middlekauff 273/72 A end closure. In a preferred form, the endclosure is an l.95(l.342 MEShCl A a t A and having a reduced diameterlower portion 2.0l2.l3l 8/1935 Kondolf H 273/72 A UX which extends imothe dampening memhcr' L765 6/1956 Rowland et al. 273/72 A UX 2.947.4598/1960 Prcgent t. 273/72 A UX 14 Claims. 9 Drawing Figures mnseaonea rgmwzuen PATENTEEAPR' ems SIIEET l 2 FIG. 2.

FIG. 5.

FIG. 3.

HOLLOW BALL BAT WITH DAMPENING MEANS This application is acontinuation-in-part of L'.S. Ser. No. 245.625. filed Apr. l9. I972 andentitled Hollow Ball Hat with Dampening Means" and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a hollow ball bat provided with internally secured dampeningmeans to reduce vibrations and noise created during use of the bat. Morespecifically. this invention relates to the use of a paperboard tubewhich is secured a predetermined position within the barrel portion ofthe bat.

2. Description of the Prior Art In recent years the use of hollow ballbats has become increasingly popular. These bats frequently are composedof a material such as aluminum or steel and have a handle portion. abarrel or hitting portion and a connecting portion. One conventionalversion has a handle portion of a first diameter. a barrel portion of asecond larger diameter and a tapered connecting portion. In order toprevent undesired entry of moisture. dirt and other foreign matter intothe hollow bat interior. it has been known to provide separate orintegrally formed end closures at both ends of the bat. Bat structuresof this general type are shown in US. Pats. l.bl 1.858. 2.967.7l and3.479.030.

As a result of the great strength and durability of the metal bat. ithas been found that tubular bats may be employed with great success. Ithas. therefore. been unnecessary to employ more expensive structureshaving substantially solid cross sectional configurations. One problemwhich has been encountered with the tubular metal bats has been thesusceptibility to undesirable vibration and noise upon impact with aball. Several methods of dampening the vibrations and noise have beenpreviously suggested. A bat provided with a tubular metal core and anexteriorly disposed sponge covering adapted to reduce noisecharacteristics was suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 2.099.521. While perhapseffective to diminish noise. such a structure is undesirable as themechanics of the game are substantially altered in a detrimental fashionas a result of the spongy nature of the bat's impact surface.

In co-pending US. application Ser. No. l49.443 and Ser. No. 149.444. nowabandoned. there have been suggested vibration and noise dampening meanswhich are provided within the bat interior and. therefore. do not alterthe desired hardness of the bat impact surface or the wearingcharacteristics of such impact surface.

It has also been suggested to employ end caps of solid cross sectionalconfiguration which extend into the bat bore in an effort to deadensound. See US. Pat. 3.479.030. This same patent discloses the use of atapered adhesively secured plug of solid cross sectiona! configurationas an insert into the handle portion of the bat in an effort to effectsound deadening.

As ball bats are subjected to repeated cycles of severe mechanical shockduring ordinary use. it is essential that durable and effectivevibration and sound deadening means be provided in the hollow metal ballbat. Also. in order for the metal bat to remain competitive with thewooden bat. it is necessary to provide dampening means which are readilyintroduced into the bat and permanently secured in a predeterminedposition in an economical fashion. In addition. such dampening meansshould be provided in such a fashion as to avoid any detrimentalalteration in the mechanics of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-described need has been met by theball hat of the present invention. The hollow ball bat is provided witha handle portion. a barrel portion and a connecting portion. Dampeningmeans in the form of a tubular paperboard dampening element is securedwithin the interior of the barrel portion of the bat. preferably at aposition spaced inwardly from the free end of the barrel portion. Thetubular paperboard element is preferably circumferentially substantiallycontinuous and may be secured to the bat surface by frictional contact.The paperboard tube preferably has a length of about 3.5 to 9 incheswith about 5 to 9 inches being the preferred length. The tube may have acorrugated exterior surface which is in contact with the barrel portioninterior surface. The tubular paperboard element is sccured to a bat endclosure and is preferably introduced into the bat therewith to establisha predetermined position for the dampening member.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hollow ball bat having aconcealed tubular paperboard dampening element secured within the barrelportion of the bat.

It is another object of this invention to provide a paperboard sleevewhich may be employed economically and secured within the barrel portionof the bat in a predetermined position in engagement with the interiorsurface of the barrel portion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a dampened batconstruction which is adapted to withstand the abuse and severemechanical shock to which the but will be subjected during normal useand handling.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide for securing thedampening member to a bat closure in order to facilitate handling andassembly of the dampening member and closure. as well as effecting andretaining predetermined positioning of the dampening member within thebat barrel portion.

These and other objects will be more fully understood from the followingdescription on reference to the illustrations appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partially broken awayelevational view of a form of ball bat construction of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary cross sectional view of a form of batbody of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken through 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing thedampening member secured within the bat barrel.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the exterior surface of a form ofdampening element of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the dampening element shown in FIG.4 taken through 5 5.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration showing contactbetween a segment of the dampening element and the bat body.

FIG. 7 is an exploded partially schematic view of a form of end plugclosure. a dampening member and fastening means employed in thisinvention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the end plug closure shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of an end plug :losuredampening member assembly of this invenion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The term "secured" and words ofsimilar import as ised herein when referring to the relationship betweenhe paperboard tubular dampening element and the iarrel interior willinclude retention effected by fricional engagement with or withoutadditional friction mproving means. adhesive means and other means ofrffecting joinder therebetween. as well as combinations hereof. The term"secured" and words of similar imiort as used herein to refer to therelationship between he paperboard tubular dampening member and an endilug or closure will include retention effected by fricional engagement.with or without additional friction mproving means. mechanical fastenerssuch as staples. rails. screws and the like. adhesive means and otherneans of effecting joinder therebetween. as well as 'ombinationsthereof.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. I, there is hown a ball buthaving a metal body. which is preferaily aluminum. provided with abarrel portion 2, a banlle portion 4 and a tapered connecting portion 6.In the orm shown. the handle portion 4 of the bat is covered 1y a gripmember which has a tubular section overying the bat handle 4 and aclosed knob-like end wall .2. The barrel portion ofthe bat has an endplug 16 serured within its outer end. (For convenience of referrnceherein. the term "outer" and words of similar imiort shall be employedto refer to a direction toward he free end or opening of the barrelportion 2 and the vord inner" and words of similar import shall beemiloyed to refer to a direction moving away from the rec end or openingof the barrel portion 2.)

In FIG. 1. it is noted that a paperboard dampening -lement I8 ispositioned within the bat barrel portion 2 in a manner to be discussedmore fully below.

In the preferred practice of the present invention a vound paperboardtube. which may be spirally or conolutely wound. has an exterior crosssectional configuation generally the same as the configuration of theldjacent portion of the barrel interior surface. (In the "use of acorrugated outer member. the exterior configlration will be thatestablished by connecting the peaks If the corrugations). The tube hasan exterior diameter ipproximating that of the interior surface of thebat iarrel portion 2 or slightly larger than the same. This acilitatesinsertion and retention of the paperboard lampening element within thedesired portion of the rat barrel.

As is shown in FIG. 2. the paperboard tubular elenent I8 is securedwithin the bat barrel at a position paced inwardly from the free end ofthe bat barrel. t is also noted that the preferred form provides anelenent I8 which terminates at a position spaced outrardly from theinner extremity 22 of the bat barrel 2. l/hile. if desired. one mayprovide a tubular paper- Ioard dampening element originating at oradjacent rec end 20 or at or adjacent inner extremity 22 or exendinginto connecting section 6 or handle 4. it is pre erred to provide thespacing discussed above. It has teen found that a paperboard tube havinga length of t least about 3.5 inches is preferred to obtain maxinumdampening. A slight improvement in dampening characteristics is found byincreasing the length of the tube up to about 9 inches. While a lengthin excess of 9 inches may be provided. no significant improvement indampening characteristics is obtained and increased cost is encountered.In the preferred form of the invention. the dampening element will be insurface to surface contact with about 30 to percent of the barrel. Forconvenience of reference the term surface to surface" as used hereinshall include contact which is not continuous as in the case of acorrugated exterior. In computing the area of contact in such cases thefull surface of the dampening element exposed to the barrel surfaceshall be counted and not merely the surface areas of the corrugations.As a result the "surface" of a given corrugated element will be the sameas an uncorrugated tube of the same length and diameter.

In general. the paperboard tubular element I8 may conveniently andeconomically be provided by spiral or convolute winding and subsequentcutting to the desired length. If desired. the tube may be provided withexteriorly disposed friction or adhesion promoting means, such as aplastic. rubber or adhesive covering. for example. In the form ofpaperboard element 18 shown in FIG. 2 seams 24 of the type establishedin spirally winding a fibrous paperboard tube are provided. If desired.multiple plies may be employed in such a wound tube to increase strengthand improve dampening characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 once again. there is shown somewhatschematically a paperboard sleeve 28 having a smooth surface 30 and abarrel contacting surface 32 which is provided with a plurality ofcorrugations adapted to frictionally engage the interior surface ofbarrel portion 2. This form of paperboard sleeve 28 is preferably madeby providing a composite tube having an independently formed coremember. The corrugations serve as force concentrators which increase thefrictional contact between the paperboard tube 28 and the bat barrel 2.If desired. an adhesive may be provided intermediate the sleeve 28 andthe barrel 2 in order to improve the desired relative retainingcharacteristics.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6. a more detailed illustration of thecomposite structure will be considered. FIG. 5 shows a composite tubularpaperboard dampening element which has a generally uniform core member36 secured within corrugated member 38. This composite structure may beestablished in a conventional manner as by winding a core 36 over amandrel and winding a previously corrugated member thereover. with asuitable adhesive being interposed. In a preferred form. the averagethickness of the wall of the corrugated member is about 0.090 to 0.l25inch.

AS is shown in FIG. 4, the corrugated member 38 has the corrugations 40generally angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal directionof the paperboard tube. This provides an angular resisting force with acomponent which resists relative axial movement between the corrugatedmember 38 and the bat barrel. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a seam 42 at whichabutting or overlapping edges of adjacent wraps of the outer member 38meet.

Considering now FIG. 6. there is shown the barrel portion of a metal bat2 which has an interior surface 44 and the corrugated member 38 which isprovided with corrugations 40. It is noted that the corrugations 40 arein contact with the interior surface 44 and are partially compressivelydeformed in order to facilitate resistance to relative axial movementbetween the paperboard sleeve and the bat barrel. If desired. adhesivemay be provided in a convenient fashion by permitting the recesses 46 inthe corrugated member 38 to serve as reservoirs to receive the same. Itshould also be noted that the corrugations 40 serve to provide integralreinforcement to the tubular paperboard or cardboard sleeve and as aresult contributes to resistance to undesired permanent deformation ofthe sleeve.

It is noted that the tubular paperboard element has a diameterapproximating that of the interior barrel surface 44. (In embodimentsemploying the corrugated exterior. the term diameter" shall refer to thedistance between radially projecting corrugation peaks.) It may bepreferable to provide a paperboard diameter that is slightly larger thanthe diameter across interior surface 44 in order to improve frictionalretention characteristics. It is contemplated that the paperboard tube.whether it is provided with the preferred exterior corrugations or has agenerally smooth exterior surface. can be axially inserted into thebarrel portion 2 to provide a rapid. economical and convenient means ofeffecting the desired assembly. If desired, additional frictionimproving means such as tape. coatings or resilient elements may besecured to the tube exterior or barrel interior to facilitate improvedfrictional retention.

It will be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment of the inventionthe tube will be generally continuous both longitudinally andcircumferentially. lf desired. openings may be provided in the tube tofacilitate radial constriction upon insertion into the barrel. The termcontinuous" as used in this context shall be intended to include suchapertured tubes so long as the aperture does not extend the entirelength of the tube. While for convenience of forming. handling andinsertion. it is preferred that the tube have joined edges to establisha sleeve. it is contemplated that one may form a tube by wrapping apaperboard element into a generally tubular shape with eitheroverlapped. abutting or spaced confronting edges. Such structures shallbe included within the terms "tubular dampening element." tube" andwords of similar import as employed herein.

A preferred form of the invention. which involves providing spacingbetween barrel opening 20 or the free end and the outermost end of thepaperboard or cardboard sleeve 18. facilitates the use of a plug typeclosure such as that shown at 16 in FIG. I. Entry of the plug into thebarrel does not produce interference between the plug l6 and tube [8.Alternatively. as the dampening means of this invention is containedcompletely within the bat interior. more rigid and durable end closuressuch as metal cnd closures. formed either separately or integrally withthe bat body. may be provided as the closure need not be relied upon forits sound and vibration dampening characteristics.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 9 a preferred embodiment of theinvention will be considered. In this form of the invention. as is shownin the exploded view of FIGv 7. an end plug is provided with an uppersurface 52, a generally cylindrical lateral surface 54 and a lowerrecessed annular surface 56 which is part of annular band 60 and has areduced diameter with respect to the immediately overlying portion 54.It is noted also that the end plug 50 contains an outwardly open annularrecess 58 which is adpated to receive a portion of the bat body toprovide an interlocking joint therebetween. In the form illustrated. asis shown in FIG. 8. the bat end plug 50 has recessed surface 56 providedby annular band 60 which is spaced radially outwardly from a centralannular core portion 62.

Referring once again to FIG. 7 there is shown a corrugated tubularpaperboard dampening member which preferably has an internal diameter Dgenerally equal to or slightly smaller than the exterior diameter dofthe lower plug portion taken at surface 56. As a result. portion 60will be received within the interior of a dampening member 70 in orderto provide frictional intcrengagement between interior surface 72 ofdampening member 70 and exterior surface 56 of the plug member 50. Thisinterengagement is preferably annularly substantially continuous. Whileif desired. frictional contact may be relied upon providing the meansfor securing of the end plug 50 to the dampening member 70 it willgenerally be preferred to use substitute or supplemental fastening meanssuch as mechanical means or adhesive means. for example. As shown inFIG. 7. a pair of diametrically opposed staples 74 in the form shown aregenerally circumferentially oriented with respect to dampening member 70will pass through the dampening member 70 and into annular band 60 oftheplug thereby effecting a permanent joint therebetween.

The completed assembly is shown in FIG. 9 which illustrates the annularband 60 received within the dampening member 70 and secured in suchposition by means of staples 74. The tubular bat body 76 has radiallyinwardly projecting portions 78 received within the annular groove 58.

While for convenience of illustration herein a specific form of plugmember 50 has been shown. it will be appreciated that numerous forms ofplugs having portions cooperatively associated with the dampening memberin such fashion as to permit effective securement may be provided. Forexample. the recessed portion defining surface 56 need not be an annularband 60. but could be a solid or generally solid cylindrical section. Inaddition. the recessed surface may be dispensed with and the dampenermember 70 may be sccured to the end closure without requiringintroduction of a portion of the end closure into the dampening member.For example adhesives placed around the upper edge of the dampeningmember 70 could permit direct bonding to an end plug. The plug 50 may bemade of any suitable material or combinations of materials including.rubber. plastic and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 3.703.290 discloses onesuitable form of composite plug which may be fabricated to establish theshape shown in FIG. 7. if desired.

It will be appreciated that this method of the invention provides anumber of advantageous features. First of all. as the end closure or endplug 50 is presecured to the dampening member 70. there is no need toseparately handle. install and secure the dampening element 70 to thebat body. In the form shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 the preassembly permitscontrolled rolling of the unit without clogging hoppers. conveyors andother handling apparatus while such transfer of the plugs alone couldnot readily be provided. In addition. insertion of the plug 50 into batbody 76 provides for automatic precise positioning of the dampeningmember 70 within the bat at the desired predetermined axial position.Further. while the dampening member 70 may preferably be secured to theinterior surface of the bat body 76. as by frictional engagement. thepositive securement to the end plug 50 provides sufficient resistance toundesired movement of the dampening member within the hollow batinterior to eliminate the need to rely upon the dampening member 70 batbody frictional engagement. The substantial mechanical shock encounteredduring impact between the bat and a ball will not produce meaningfulundesired displacement of the dampening member 70.

While for convenience of reference the description will frequently referto a single paperboard element. it will be appreciated that several suchelements axially abutted or axially spaced and having a combined lengthsuitable to accomplish the objectives may be provided if desired.

While for exemplary purposes bat bodies made entirely of metal. such asaluminum. have been described. it will be appreciated that hollow batsmade of nonmetallic materials. such as rigid plastic. or combinations ofmetals and nonmctals may be employed with this invention.

While for purposes of simplicity of discussion reference has been madeherein to bats having handle and barrel portions each having a constantdiameter different from the other and a tapered connecting portiondisposed therebetween. the invention is not so limited. For example.bats having a very abrupt transition between handle and barrel or batshaving a generally continuous tapered form from one end to another arealso contemplated by this invention. With respect to the lat tercategory. the barrel will be considered as being that portion of the butwhich would normally be that predetermined for efficient use in makingcontact with the ball and the connecting portion will be the section in'terposed between the barrel and handle portions.

it will. therefore. be appreciated that the hollow ball hat of thisinvention provides an economical and effective means of dampening noiseand vibrations without altering the mechanical aspects of the game. inaddition. a durable. easy to assemble and effective concealed structureadapted for use in conventional hollow bats is provided.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration. it will be evident to those skilledin the art that numerous \ariations of the details may be made withoutdeparting from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A hollow ball bat comprising a tubular bat body having a handleportion. a barrel portion and a connecting portion.

an end closure disposed at the barrel end of said tubular bat body.

a tubular paperboard dampening element disposed within said barrelportion and having an exterior surface in contact with the interiorsurface of said barrel portion.

said end closure being an end plug having a section extending into saidbarrel portion.

said end plug having an exterior surface portion in contact with theinterior surface of said barrel portion and further having a reduceddiameter annular lower section disposed within said dampening element.means permanently securing said tubular paperboard dampening element tosaid end plug lower section whereby said paperboard dampening elementwill be restrained against undesired relative axial movement withrespect to said but body and impact between said ball bat and a ballwill result in said dampening element reducing the noise and vibrationin said ball but to a level below that which would exist in the absenceof said dampening member.

said end plug having an upper end outer surface extending beyond thebarrel end portion and further having an outwardly open annular groovedisposed between said reduced diameter lower section and the upper endof said plug. and

said bat body having an annular generally radially inwardly directedportion extending into said annular groove, whereby relative axialmovement of said end plug with respect to end ball but is resisted.

2. The hollow ball but of claim wherein said securing means is africtional intcrengagement.

3. The hollow ball hat of claim 1 wherein said securing means is amechanical fastener means.

4. The hollow ball hat of claim 3 including said mechanical fastenermeans including at least one staple passing through said dampeningelement and into said plug lower section.

5. The hollow ball hat of claim I wherein said securing means is aadhesive means securing.

6. The hollow ball hat of claim 1 including said paperboard dampeningelement having a length of about 3.5 to 9 inches.

7. The hollow ball hat of claim 6 including said paperboard dampeningelement having an esterior member provided with corrugations whichengage said barrel portion interior surface.

8. The hollow ball but of claim 6 including said paperboard dampeningelement being in surface to surface contact with about 30 to percent ofsaid barrel portion interior surface.

9. The hollow ball hat of claim 8 including said paperboard dampeningelement being circumferentially substantially continuous and having alength of about 5 to 9 inches.

[0. A ball bat dampening element end closure preformed sub-assemblyconsisting essentially of an elongated tubular paperboard dampeningelement having an exterior surface generally of the same size as theinterior surface of the bat body barrel within which it will bereceived.

an end closure adapted for partial introduction into a bat body barrelto provide a closure therefor.

said end closure being an end plug having an upper surface. a generallycylindrical lateral surface adjacent said upper surface and having anexterior diameter generally equal to the exterior diameter of saiddampening element. and a reduced diameter annular lower section receivedwithin said dampening element. and means permanently securing saiddampening element to said end plug lower section.

11. The dampener end closure assembly of claim 10 wherein said securingmeans is a frictional engagement.

[2. The dampener end closure assembly of claim 10 wherein said securingmeans is a mechanical fastener.

13. The dampencr end closure assembly ofclaim 12 said paperboarddampening element having a length mcludmg of about 3.5 to 9 inches andsaid mechanical fastener means including at least one staple passingthrough said dampening clement into said end plug lower portion. 5 14.The dampcner end closure assemhLv of claim Ill gags Said barrel P manorSurface including said paperboard dampening member having an exlc riorsurface provided with corrugations which en-

1. A hollow ball bat comprising a tubular bat body having a handleportion, a barrel portion and a connecting portion, an end closuredisposed at the barrel end of said tubular bat body, a tubularpaperboard dampening element disposed within said barrel portion andhaving an exterior surface in contact with the interior surface of saidbarrel portion, said end closure being an end plug having a sectionextending into said barrel portion, said end plug having an exteriorsurface portion in contact with the interior surface of said barrelportion and further having a reduced diameter annular lower sectiondisposed within said dampening element, means permanently securing saidtubular paperboard dampening element to said end plug lower sectionwhereby said paperboard dampening element will be restrained againstundesired relative axial movement with respect to said bat body andimpact between said ball bat and a ball will result in said dampeningelement reducing the noise and vibration in said ball bat to a levelbelow that which would exist in the absence of said dampening member,said end plug having an upper end outer surface extending beyond thebarrel end portion and further having an outwardly open annular groovedisposed between said reduced diameter lower section and the upper endof said plug, and said bat body having an annular generally radiallyinwardly directed portion extending into said annular groove, wherebyrelative axial movement of said end plug with respect to end ball bat isresisted.
 2. The hollow ball bat of claim 1 wherein said securing meansis a frictional interengagement.
 3. The hollow ball bat of claim 1wherein said securing means is a mechanical fastener means.
 4. Thehollow ball bat of claim 3 including said mechanical fastener meansincluding at least one staple passing through said dampening element andinto said plug lower section.
 5. The hollow ball bat of claim 1 whereinsaid securing means is a adhesive means securing.
 6. The hollow ball batof claim 1 including said paperboard dampening element having a lengthof about 3.5 to 9 inches.
 7. The hollow ball bat of claim 6 includingsaid paperboard dampening element having an exterior member providedwith corrugations which engage said barrel portion interior surface. 8.The hollow ball bat of claim 6 including said paperboard dampeningelement being in surface to surface contact with about 30 to 75 percentof said barrel portion interior surface.
 9. The hollow ball bat of claim8 including said paperboard dampening element being circumferentiallysubstantially continuous and having a length of about 5 to 9 inches. 10.A ball bat dampening element - end closure preformed subassemblyconsisting essentially of an elongated tubular paperboard dampeningelement having an exterior surface generally of the same size as theinterior surface of the bat body barrel within which it will bereceived, an end closure adapted for partial introduction into a batbody barrel to provide a closure therefor, said end closure being an endplug having an upper surface, a generally cylindrical lateral surfaceadjacent said upper surface and having an exterior diameter generallyequal to the exterior diameter of said dampening element, and a reduceddiameter annular lower section received within said dampening element,and means permanently securing said dampening element to said end pluglower section.
 11. The dampener - end closure assembly of claim 10wherein said securing means is a frictional engagement.
 12. Thedampener - end closure assembly of claim 10 wherein said securing meansis a mechanical fastener.
 13. The dampener - end closure assembly ofclaim 12 including said mechanical fastener means including at least onestaple passing through said dampening element into said end plug lowerportion.
 14. The dampener - end closure assembly of claim 10 includingsaid paperboard dampening element having a length of about 3.5 to 9inches and said paperboard dampening member having an exterior surfaceprovided with corrugations which engage said barrel portion interiorsurface.